Homeless Iraq, Afghanistan war veterans increase

10:57 PM,
Dec. 28, 2012

More than 300 veterans wait in line for the VA Gulf Coast Homeless Veteran Stand Down earlier this year. The event provided services and information to local homeless veterans and families of veterans. The number of homeless veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan has nearly doubled over two years, new data show.

Written by

Gregg Zoroya
USA Today

The number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing a roof over their heads has more than doubled in the past two years, according to government data.

Through the end of September, 26,531 of them were living on the streets, at risk of losing their homes, staying in temporary housing or receiving federal vouchers to pay rent, the Department of Veterans Affairs reports.

That's up from 10,500 in 2010. The VA says the numbers could be higher because they include only the homeless the department is aware of. ...